Key-ring



(No Model.)

H. H. v. LILLEY.

KEY RING..I No. 318,482. Patented May 26. 1885.

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HUGH H. V. LILLEY, OF MILFORD, MASSACHUSETTS.

KEY-RING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 318,482, dated May 26, 1885.

Application filed September 8, 1884. (No model.)

T0 aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HUGH H. V. LILLEY, of Milford, county of Worcester, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Key-1tings, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention has for its object the production of a simple and eflicient ring upon which keys may be easily and quickly applied, and from which keys may be as easily removed, the ring also being constructed to serve the purpose of a tag or name-plate.

My improved ring is composed of two metal segments of ring, secured to each other in such manner as to enable one end of one segment to cover the gap between the ends of the other segment, as will be described.

Figure 1 represents one side of a ring embodying my invention, a key being shown in dotted lines as about to be taken off; Fig. 2, a view of the opposite face of the ring, a key being about to be applied; and Fig. 3 is an edge view of the ring.

My improved ring is composed of two metal segments, a b, of uniform thickness or fiat at both sides. The segment a is composed, preferably, of tempered steel, still and strong. The segmentb is composed, preferably, of soft iron, riveted at c c to the steel segment a, the end 2 of the segment I) (see Fig. 2) overlapping the gap or space between the ends of'the segment a. (See Figs. 2 and 3.) The segment b,being of soft metahmay be stamped to designate on'es name or residence, so that the ring, if lost, may be returned to its rightful owner.

If both segments were of tempered steel, the ring could not be economically and easily marked to serve the purpose of a tag, and if both were of soft iron the ring would not possess the requisite spring; but a temperedsteel segment and soft-iron segment attached together possess the advantages of being sufficiently rigid, and at the same time is capable of being marked.

\Vith two segments, the end of one overlapping the gap or space between the ends of the other, as shown, the key to be taken from the ring will be laid in the space between the ends of the ring (rand against the overlapping end of the segment I), and the key will be pressed down, (see Fig. l, where the key is shown in dotted lines,) pressure of the key upon the end ofthe said segment I) removing the end of the segment from contact with the tempered-steel segments a, leaving a space between the two segments for the passage of the key.

Fig. 2 shows the reverse side of the ring with a key in position to be applied.

As material for the production of the segments I may flatten untempered steel wire, the flattening of the wire giving to it great stiffness.

I claim 1. As an improved article of manufacture, a key-ring composed of two independent metal segments rigidly'attached to each other side by side, substantially as described, theend of one segment overlapping the space left between the ends of the other segment, all substantially as set forth.

2. In a key-ring, two flattened metallic segments. one of steel, the other of soft metal, united together, one end of one segment overlapping one end of the other segment, the open space between the ends of each segment coming opposite a portion of the other segment, and forming a space forthe application of the key to the ring, substantially as described. I

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HUGH H. V. LILLEY.

\Vitnesses:

J. O. SoULE, CHARLES T. WALKER. 

